Pest Advice Blog

Does killing the queen wasp get rid of the nest?

It seems like basic knowledge that if the queen wasp is removed from the nest it will not continue to grow. However, this isn’t always the case. There can be multiple queens and it greatly depends on the sustainability of the nest. Also, there are periods when killing the queen wasp can get rid of the entire colony. So, is it worth trying to kill the queen wasp?

Identifying the queen wasp

If there is an active nest, there are many wasps coming and going from the area. They can be of different sizes and offer different qualities to the community. So, it can be difficult to identify the queen wasp. The queen will rarely leave the nest between late spring through summer. She mostly remains in her nest laying eggs and being cared for by female workers.

One key identifier is the size. The queen is usually the largest wasp in the nest. She is generally quite bigger than the female workers and males. The queen’s life purpose is to lay eggs and grow the colony. Only female wasps have stingers.

The queen is usually spotted in the spring.

She will emerge from her hibernation and finds a place to make a small nest to begin her colony. During the late spring any solitary wasps you see is probably a queen as she forages to feed her first worker larvae.

During the winter, large portions of the colony will die off and the queen is usually the only surviving wasp. They will hibernate in areas protected from freezing temperatures. They can be found under tree bark, in cracks of eaves and wood trim. The queen will have their wings wrapped around their bodies, but they will still sting even during hibernation.

Killing the queen at the right time can get rid of the nest.

When the queen starts to build their nest in the late spring, they are the only member of the colony. It is their responsibility to provide for larvae in order for the nest to grow. Getting rid of the queen at this stage can prevent the spread of a wasp nest. If the queen is not providing nutrients to the larvae, the first set of workers will not survive.

This also works in the winter when the queen is the only surviving member of the colony. With wasps a lot of the workers and drones will die when the weather gets colder. However, the queen will survive. Killing her at this time will prevent her from building another nest when she comes out of hibernation.

If the nest is established in the summer, then kill the queen might not have an impact.

It would be very rare to see the queen outside of the nest during the summer months. However, if you do spot her and decide to kill the queen, it might have little impact on the wasp nest. At this point the colony is already established. And by killing the queen, you might get a lot of aggressive wasps in your area. Killing the queen does not always guarantee the full removal of an entire colony.

Removing wasps can be dangerous.

Wasp removal can be a very dangerous process with angry wasps looking the defend their nest. Being stung can be painful and lead to other health issues. It is always a good idea to contact insect removal specialists to deal with wasps. Without fully removing the nest, you can have wasps buzzing around your property all summer.

Oakville wasp removal.

Having a professional to come and look at the problem is always the best idea when it comes to wasps. They will have the equipment and knowledge of how to best deal with the issue. If you see any signs of a wasp nest on your property make sure to contact Truly Nolen Pest Control.